Research Facilities

Computers

The PANGA Geodesy Laboratory at Central Washington University maintains a mixed network of Linux and Mac workstations, including a 100-CPU Beowulf cluster used for GPS data analysis and specific computational projects. Approximately 5 Tb of space is also available for faculty and student use.

The Linux cluster is equipped with the GIPSY/OASIS II software (release version 4 of GIPSY-II) for high precision GPS data analysis, provided by the Jet Propulsion Lab. The cluster also runs GAMIT - GLOBK software, a suite of programs developed at MIT for the analysis of GPS data, and a variety of in-house parameter estimation and modeling software.

Data Analysis

The Geodesy Laboratory performs daily analysis of a regional network of roughly 1400 GPS stations, including 350+ in the Pacific Northwest. Data from these GPS stations is used for crustal deformation, plate motion, volcano monitoring, and coastal hazards studies. The laboratory's primary scientific role is to support high precision geodetic measurements using the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, particularly for the study of earthquake hazards and sea-level processes.

PANGA and NAVSTAR

The CWU Geodesy Laboratoary serves as the Data Analysis Center for the Pacific Northwest Geodetic Array (PANGA). In addition, we participate in the University NAVSTAR Consortium (UNAVCO) and the Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO). These activities are funded primarily by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation, Sun Microsystems, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Equipment

To support our GPS field operations our equipment includes:

• Sun Microsystems, through its Academic Equipment program awarded the Geodesy Laboratory and the PANGA Data Analysis Center high performance computing equipment. This competitive award has significantly enhanced the data processing facility at the Geodesy Laboratory.
• Hand held Garmin GPS receivers for point positioning
• A Hilti rock drill for emplacement of steel marker pins in hard rock
• Laptop computers and software for field downloading of GPS data from receivers
• Eight Trimble SSI receivers with Dorn Margolin antennas are available for field campaigns. CWU is a member of the UNAVCO consortium, and for large field campaigns these can be supplemented with receiver loans from the UNAVCO equipment pool.
• Three Trimble DGPS 4700 receivers with microcenter antennas for mapping applications.
• We have a machine shop for production of various types of monumentation hardware. We recently modified INVAR rods for continuous GPS monuments. See monument for details. These monuments are low cost, and are specifically designed for bedrock settings. Plans available on request (email panga@geology.cwu.edu)